Open Bench New Year's Design Market

On 25-26 December 2024, Open Bench New Year Bazaar was hosted by TED University in cooperation with İstasyonTEDU, TEDU Directorate of Social and Cultural Affairs and TEDU Architecture and Design Community.

This year, a total of 22 social enterprises working in different fields such as sustainable textiles, environmentally friendly care and cleaning products, organic food, and educational materials design, and 23 leading designers of Ankara participated in the Open Bench New Year Bazaar. Their joint presence highlighted how design and entrepreneurship can intersect to address pressing social and environmental issues.

In addition to the social enterprises in Ankara, 6 women’s cooperatives from Hatay, Adana and Mardin provinces—supported within the scope of the SEECO Project with the financial support of the Ministry of Industry and Technology—also had stands at the event. Their involvement not only expanded the regional scope of the market but also reflected how government-supported initiatives, local communities, and universities can work side by side toward shared goals.

Moreover, 7 social entrepreneurs and designers who wanted to promote their products and services conducted free workshops. These interactive sessions gave visitors, including TEDU students, academic and administrative staff, the opportunity to engage directly with different actors, fostering dialogue across disciplines and sectors.

Altogether, the event became more than just a marketplace. By convening social enterprises, cooperatives, designers, and institutional stakeholders, it created a collaborative environment that encouraged participants to exchange knowledge and practices in ways that resonate with broader global development priorities.